Guide to the Taste Differences of Different Types of Soy Sauce

July 2, 2025

Soy sauce is a pantry essential, but not all types of soy sauce are the same. Each has its own flavor, saltiness, aroma, and best use. Whether you’re throwing together a quick stir-fry or simmering a rich, savory stew, the type of soy sauce you use can completely change how your dish turns out.

Understanding those taste differences helps you cook with confidence, avoid overpowering your food, and bring out the best in your ingredients.

So let’s take a closer look at what makes each one stand out.

Taste Difference Between Common Types of Soy Sauce

Types of Soy Sauce	Color	Saltiness	Taste/Flavour	Aroma	Fermentation Characteristics	Applicable Dishes/ Purposes
Light Soy Sauce	Light reddish-brown	Medium	Salty, sharp savory	Strong, fermented	Naturally brewed, short fermentation period	Stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces
Dark Soy Sauce	Dark, thick, glossy	High	Slightly sweet, stronger soy flavour	Mellow	Longer aging, sometimes with added molasses	Braised dishes, red-cooked meats, sauces for deep color
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce	Similar to light	40 to 50% less salt	Mild, balanced soy flavour	Subtle and gentle	Brewed with reduced salt post processing	Health-focused recipes, soups, steamed dishes
Organic Soy Sauce	Medium brown	Moderate	Clean, pure soy taste	Earthy and soft	Naturally brewed using organic soybeans	Organic dishes, salads, clean-label cooking
Brewed Soy Sauce	Deep brown	Medium to high	Complex, balanced umami	Rich	Traditional brewed with natural fermentation	All-purpose soy sauce for everyday cooking
Hydrolyzed Soy Sauce	Very dark	High	Strong, artificial saltiness	Sharp chemical scent	Chemically processed, not naturally fermented	Processed food manufacturing, low-cost sauces
Sweet Soy Sauce	Thick, syrupy, dark	Low	Sweet, mild soy undertones	Sweet and caramel like	Brewed with added sugar or palm sugar	Southeast Asian dishes (e.g., stir-fries, dipping sauces)

How to Choose the Right Soy Sauce

Since we have different types of soy sauce, we need to pick the right one.

Light soy sauce is good for daily cooking. It has great saltiness and color.
Dark soy sauce can be used to darken color and add mild sweetness to braised dishes.
Low-sodium soy sauce is your go-to to reduce salt without losing flavor.
If you are health conscious, use organic or naturally brewed soy sauce.
If you want sweetness? Sweet soy sauce is best for satays, glazes, and fried rice.

Common Mistakes When Using Soy Sauce

Swapping soy sauce without adjusting taste
Only light soy sauce can be changed with regular soy sauce. Others are not interchangeable.
Overuse of dark soy sauce
Don’t overuse dark soy sauce…it overpowers the flavor of the recipe.
Not considering saltiness
Dark soy sauce is saltier than light and other sweet soy sauces. Overusing soy sauce can lead to health issues, including blood pressure and kidney problems.
Thinking soy sauce is gluten-free
It’s not, because it has wheat in it as an ingredient, unless it’s labeled as gluten-free.

Conclusion

Each soy sauce has its own unique flavor. Choosing the right bottle of soy sauce can definitely turn your dishes from bland to amazing. Qianhe adheres to the traditional brewing method to ensure the purity of the ingredients. Therefore, Qianhe is definitely one of your reliable soy sauce suppliers. If you have any needs for our soy sauce products, please contact us for information support.